Late Night Flight for Carufel

Brian Smith

08/01/2005

Matt Carufel is no stranger to big games playing for national power Cretin-Derham in St. Paul, Minn. He now wants to take a closer look at one of college football's biggest games, Notre Dame vs. Southern California.

Every Notre Dame fan knows who Matt Carufel, OL, 6-5, 280-pounds, St. Paul, Minn., (Cretin Derham) is. And the vast majority of college football's top offensive line coaches do, too.

"I am going to take the 2 am flight," Carufel said of his travel plans to South Bend. "You've gotta do it."

Not many recruits would go out their way like Carufel is going to do to make the big game in South Bend this October 15 when the Irish host the Trojans. It's a good sign for Notre Dame.

As for Carufel's top five, his list is impressive.

"Notre Dame, Iowa, Minnesota, Florida and Miami," he said.

Carufel has not set up any other official visits, but is contemplating taking in either the Florida vs. Tennessee or Florida State games in Gainesville, and is also looking at Iowa vs. Minnesota or Michigan in Iowa City. Of course any one of those games could be used as an unofficial visit as well.

Carufel does not have a time frame for a decision. When he is ready he will make his choice.

SMITTY'S TAKE - Carufel is more comfortable now that he has begun to narrow his list of schools. But in the end, there can only be one. Notre Dame has a good shot to be that team.